Thirteen Useful Tips For Sex Toy Owners

Engaging in different sexual activities for pleasure is no longer taboo. Neither are sex toys!

However, not washing your sex toy(s), using the wrong lubricant or storing it incorrectly, can lead to problems for you and possibly your partner. Those problems can consist of a shorter life span and or deterioration of your toy, even risk of infection for you and your partner.

1.WASH YOUR TOYS AFTER EVERY USE–

Even if you use it on only on yourself. Toys washed after every use last longer; not washing your toy every time can cause the material to become discolored and start to deteriorate. Also, if unwashed toys are stored with other toys, those other toys can become contaminated.

2.WASH YOUR TOYS BEFORE EACH USE–

Your toys can come in contact with lint, pet hair or other bacteria while stored. Inserting them, all of that goes into your body too.

If you live with roommates and don’t want to haul your sex toys to the bathroom; Babeland Toy Cleaner can be a go to. It’s a liquid spray that you wipe off. It neutralizes bacteria and won’t harm the material of the toy.

4. DON’T SUBMERGE BATTERY OPERATED TOYS TO WASH–

This seems like common sense right?

If your toy uses batteries, plugs into the wall or vibrates in any way, extra precautions are necessary, wiping it down with a warm-soaped wash cloth is all you need to do.

5. FIGURE OUT THE MATERIAL OF YOUR TOYS–

Now there are a variety of sex toys, but we’re talking about vibrators, dildos, plugs, beads, anything that can go inside you. These types of toys come in many different materials but can be divided into two specific categories– Porous and Non Porous. Non Porous toys are ones that can be safely shared because their surfaces are impenetrable by bacteria. Common Non Porous materials are glass, pyrex, silicone and stainless steel. Porous toys on the other hand, are made from materials like hard plastic, cyberskin, elastomer, jelly rubber, nylon and neoprene, they are also more absorbent.

Your toy’s material should be on the package, if you’ve already thrown it away, check the manufacturer’s website.

6. CLEANING NON POROUS TOYS–

Silicone: wash with soap and water or place it on the top shelf of the dishwasher. You can also put it in boiling water for 10 minutes to disinfect.

Glass: wash with soap and water and don’t expose it to extreme temperatures (dishwasher).

Pyrex: pyrex is heat resistant glass so it can be boiled, put in the dishwasher or just wipe off.

Stainless Steal: boil for 10 minutes, soak in bleach and water; be sure to wash thoroughly or wash in the dishwasher.

7. CLEANINGS POROUS TOYS–

Soap and water; in the sink or soapy washcloth.

8. USE THE RIGHT LUBRICANT–

Don’t use silicone or oil based lubes on silicone toys –it sticks to the material and breaks down on the surface of the toy. Use water based or hybrid lube.

9. USE A CONDOM WITH POROUS TOYS-

Some porous toys can’t be completely disinfected so always use a condom when using it with a partner, yourself even. Also use a condom if your toy is made out of jelly; since jelly toys contain potentially dangerous chemicals called phthalates. There isn’t conclusive info on health effects but better safe than sorry!

10. ALWAYS CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOUR WATERPROOF VIBRATORS ARE STILL SAFE TO USE–

If the little rubber plug or o-ring that covers the batteries is missing, loose or broken, no more shower fun!

11. LOOK OUT FOR IRREGULARITIES–

Even the best sex toys don’t last forever. If the motor gets louder, that’s a sign the toy is getting to the end, or if the charge isn’t lasting long. Also look out for seems coming apart or marks in your silicone toys– this means it’s no longer non porous.

12. DON’T TOSS YOUR TOYS IN YOUR NIGHTSTAND DRAWER–

Who knows what dust, crumbs or other stuff is in there. Store toys wrapped in cloth or in a cloth bag. Don’t use tupperware, or plastic bags for storage, chemicals can leach into the toy over an extended period of time.

13. TAKE BATTERIES OUT OF VIBRATORS WHEN NOT IN USE–

Leaving the batteries in can actually corrode the toy and drain battery life.

Hopefully these tips can be of good use to you and your bedtime friends but hopefully you’ve already been doing most of them!

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2 comments

Thanks for these tips for sex toys. I’m glad that you mentioned that you should clean the toy before and after you use it. It seems like this is a great way to make sure the toy also stays in good condition.